Combiktatioir-sqirare



H. SIMON.

COMBINATION SQUARE. APPLICATION mzn APR. 11. ms.

Patented July 8, 1919.

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COMBINATION SQUARE. APPLICATION FILED APILII. I918.

Patented July 8, 1919.

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lium! B l will mlylllljlllll WI'I NESSES ATTORNEY HENRY SIMON, OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINATION-SQUARE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 8, 1919.

Application filed April 17, 1918. Serial No. 229,126.

This invention has reference to combina- "tion squares, and its object is to provide an instrument which may be changed at will from an ordinary try square into a miter square,-an octagon square, or a bevel and which will be equally efficient in any of the uses named.

In accordance with the invention the square comprises a handle portion and a blade portion with the latter s connected to v the handle that it may be adjusted and rigidly held in right angle or miter positions,

but still be readily adjusted from one position to another, or may be released for movement to various bevel positions and .frictionally there held but yieldable to superior forces for movement from one bevel position to another. The bladeis under the control of a spring positively holding it in certain positions and frictionally holding it in other positions, while manipulating means thesanie position but with a portion of the for the spring are provided in readily accessible position and so related to the blade-holding means that even a strong holding spring may be moved to release position by the exertion of a relatively small force.

The construction is such as to be readily adapted to either a wooden or a metal handle.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying, drawings, forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings, but may be changed and modified so long as such changes and modifications mark no materialudeparture from the .sailient features of the invention as expressed in theappended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the instrument in the try square position.

Fig. 1s an elevation; of the instrument in handle removed and some parts shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a face view of a portion of the instrument with a blade in one of the miter positions and showing the opposite side of the instrument from that seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4: is a face view of the instriunent from the opposite side to that viewed in Fig. 1 and showing a portion of the handle removed and some parts in section.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section similar to that of Fig. 5 but showing the blade released.

Fig. 7 is an inner face view of the portion of the handle removed in the showing' of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a detail section on an enlarged scale showing a portion of the blade and spring in the locked position.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a friction washer forming part of the instrument.

Fig. 10 is an elevation, with a portion of the handle removed, of a type of the invention permitting the use of an all-metal handle.

Figs. 11 and 12 are views similar to Figs. 5 and 6 but applying to the showing of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a small scale face view, with one member of the handle omitted, showing the blade in position as a bevel.

In the drawings, there is shown a handle A and a blade B, such parts being commonly employed in try squares and in bevels, but these two parts are in many particulars constructed quite differently from an ordinary carpenters try square.

In Fig. 1 and associated figures, it is assumed that the handle A is a wooden handle while in all of the figures the blade B is a metal blade corresponding generally to the blades used in ordinary try squares.

The handle A in Fig. 1 and associated figures, is formed of two parts 1 and 2, with the part 2 reduced in thickness for a portion site sides of the longitudinal center line of the part 2, which shoulders are oppositely beveled.

The part 2 has a thickened portion 4 at the end remote from the thinner portion and the part 1 is secured against the thickened portion 4 by screws 5 or in any other up I of its length, forming shoulders 3 on oppotionally against the propriate manner. This leaves a slot 6 between the two parts 1 and 2 of a thickness to snugly yet freely receive the corresponding end of the blade B, which end as well as the end of the handle between which the blade is inserted is rounded, the blade B being correspondingly rounded, as shown at 7. The rounded end of the handle A and the rounded end of the blade B are concentric with alined passages 8, 9 through the handle, the blade B having a corresponding passage 10 through its rounded end 7.

These passages which, when the partsare assembled, are in alined condition, are traversed byqa sleeve 11 in the structure shown in Fig. 1 and associated figures, and this sleeve is of a diameter to snugly and firmly fit in the passages 8 and 9 so that the sleeve 11 may be driven into the handle A and will bind in the passages 8 and 9 sufiiciently tight to remain there under conditions of use. This is a convenient manner of securing the sleeve but does not preclude the employment of other means for securing the sleeve in place. On diametrically opposite sides ofthe sleeve 11 are longitudinal slots 12 entering the sleeve from one end thereof to about the point where the sleeve carries the blade B.

WVithin the sleeve is a manipulating block or push piece made up of two members 13 and 14 respectively, with one member secured'to the other by a screw 15 and the meeting faces of the two .members of the block embracing the blade B.

The thin portion ofthe handle part 2 is reduced corresponding to the thickness of the blade B so that the blade is flush with the inner face .of the handle member 1, which latter may be of even thickness throughout except that opposite the thin portion of the handle member in depth from about the mid length of the handle member 1. toward but stopping short of the rounded end of the handle member.

Fast'to the thickened end 4 of the handle member 2'is one end of a leaf spring. 17 of a length to reach'to a point nearer to the rounded end of the handle thanthe sleeve 11. The spring'has an opening 18 therethrough traversed by the sleeve 11 and on opposite sides of the opening the spring is provided 'with tongues 19 directed one toward the other and positionedto extend through the slots 12 in the sleeve 11. These tongues enter between the meeting ends of the block members 13 and 14, which meeting ends may be recessed, as shown at 20,.for that purpose.

Inthe reduced portion of the handle part 2 is another recess 21in which is seated a washer 22 of such thickness as to bear friccorresponding face of the blade B.

2, it is pro- 7 'VlClQCl Wltll a recess 16. gradually increasing spring 17 of slightly different The spring 17 at the end remote from the sleeve 11 is seated in the inner face of the handle part 1, as shown at 23, and'is secured to the handle part 1 by screws 24, or otherwise,..and also by a pin 25 traversing both parts of the handle member and the spring. The fastening means for the spring may be taken as indicative of any suitable fastening means and as not being limited to the particular arrangement shown.

The rounded end 7 of the blade B is provided with a curved series of perforations or sockets 26. arranged concentrically with the axis of rocking of the blade. The spring 17 carries pins 27 in position to enter the perforations or receptacles 26, these pins or studs being usually .two in number, spaced. apart to include a perforation or receptacle and'the second one therefrom. This spacing of the studs is advantageous in providing an extended frictional engagement between. the studs and the blade B, when, as will hereinafter appear, the instrument, is used as a bevel.

The pins or studs 27 may traverse and be riveted into the, spring blade 17 and project therefrom toward the blade B with the projecting end of each stud beveled or tapered, and each perforation or receptacle 26 may be correspondingly' beveled or tapered, wherefore, each stud fits snugly in a corre sponding receptacle, preventing, looseness and automatically taking up wear.

The structure shown in Figs. '10, 11 and 12 is, in the main, the same as the structure of Fig. l and associated figures, except that there is. a handle member A of such construction as'tobe readilymade of metal. It has two parts 1 and 2 with a blade B lodged therebetween in a manner similar to the arrangement shown in F l. The blade B has a serieszof notches 26 along a portion of the edge of the rounded part '7 and where these notches approach the main portion of the blade there is formed a per-.v foration 26*, one of such perforations being usually suflicien't.

The spring 17 of the structure in Fig. 1 and associated figures is replaced by form but still of leaf construction and instead of having studs 27 formed thereon has a tongue 27 struck out therefrom and adapted to the notches 26 and perforation 26 Since the handle A is made of metal there isno need of a sleeve 11 forming a wear surface and receptacle for the push button made up of the parts 13 and'14. In the structure shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12,

there is a shouldered screw 13 and a block 14 The screw 13 has a shoulder portion 13 extending through and forming a pivotfor journalfor the blade B. and the screw 13 has a screw shank13 extending throu h the spring 17? and securing the block 14?,

againstthe spring. In the structure of Fig. 10 and associated figures, the pin 25 is used, but the screws 24 may be omitted as they may also be in the structure shown in Fig. l and associated figures.

In both of the illustrated forms of the invention the blade B or B may be considered as locked in the right angular or try square position. In this position the studs 27, or the tongue 27*, are seated in those sockets or recesses in the blade -B or B which hold the blade in the central or right angular position. 'The spring may be so strong as to hold the blade in such position against the possibility of displacement. If now it be desired to change the blade to some intermediate angular position on either side of the right angular position it is but necessary to press the push button, which is located in the axis of the rocking blade, with the direction of pushing coinciding with such axis of rocking of the blade. The locking means on the spring is located between the push button carried by the spring andi the end of the spring which is fast in the handle so that'ithe leverage is sufficient to permit the use of a comparatively stifi' spring and permit the exertion of a relatively small force to overcome the resistance of the spring. At the same time the spring is sufficiently stilf to cause the engaging means on the spring to bear with superior force upon the blade B or B, especially when the blade is moved about its axis beyond any point where the angle is fixed by the engagement of the holding means on the spring in any of the receptacles on the blade. In the right angular position where the blade is held as a try square, or in any of the miter positions, the blade is positively locked at the proper angle. However, hen the blade is moved into alinement with the handle or beyond such line to the opposite side of the handle (see Fig. 13) from where the blade is held in fixed angular relations, there is no positive holding engagement between the spring and the blade but the studs 27 or the tongue 27, as the case may be, bear upon a flat face of the blade binding it against the washer 22 so that the blade, although movable to any position for indicating bevel angles, holds the adjusted positions against ordinary forces tending to displace it. These displacing forces must necessarily be considerable, since the holding devices for the blade are relatively close to the fixed end of the spring, and between the rather heavy pressure exerted by the spring and the friction caused by the washer 21, the blade does not readily respond to disturbing forces exerted thereon in ordinary use.

By' locating the push button or spring manipulating means in the axis of rocking of the blade and by locating the holding .ward the face of the square,

means for the blade toward the fixed end of the spring in spaced relation to the axis of the blade, the sprin will exert a superior pressure upon the b ado to hold the latter frictionally in adjusted positions.

Moreover, the push button or block is, in its normal locking position flush at both ends with the corresponding faces of the handle, and hence, not liable to be displaced except by purposely applied forces, for no parts of the manipulating means protrude at all from the faces of the handle when the blade is in any of its locked positions.

When the visible ends of the push button are flush with the exterior of the handle it is evident that the blade is safely locked in one of its fixed positions, the particular position being evidenced by the angular relation of the blade to the handle. When one end of the push button projects from the handle and the other end is sunken into the handle then it is evident that the blade is not properly locked or it is in a condition to designate a bevel other than one of the fixed angles.

The instrument or tool has a number of material advantages. For instance, it provides in one tool automatic adjustments for the most common angles of the blade locked in such positions, and it provides variable adjustments for odd angles with the blade frictionally held therein against displacement under ordinary conditions of use but without interfering with readjustments by the application of forces sufficient to overcome the resistance. The construction is such that the various functions may be performed without materially changing the Weight, size, shape, general character, or the working efficiency of the ordinary try square. It provides a tool capable of miter and octagon angles, which tool is superior to special tools in use for these angles while the tool is fully as convenient for the various purposes as the ordinary try square is for right angle work. The blade holding and locking mechanism is characterized by extreme simplicity, durability and strength and is out of the way, invisible and thoroughly protected. The mechanism is such that, instead of being loosened by blows, jars or falls, is rendered tighter thereby; The mechanism not only provides for the automatic engagement of the stops but permits forcible engagement thereof by hand should the device fail to work properly of its own accord. The visible appearance of the exterior thumb or finger pieces for actuating the spring plainly indicates the engagement, disengagement or partial engagement of the stops.

The structure is characterized by having the stops disengaged by a direct pressure against the spring perpendicular to and toby having the point of manipulation pressure exerted on the spring at a greater distance from its fixed end than the location of the stops with relation thereto and if the spring be replaced by a lever then the relation of the stops and point of pressure corresponds to a lever of the second class; by having the push button or thumb piece in the axis of movement of the blade, this placing the thumb button in the most convenient place for the thumb and makes it possible to depress the button and move the blade simultaneously with the fingers of the same hand, and,'by the relative locations of the parts, a powerful and yet easily manipulated spring is permissible, whereby the frictional holding ofthe blade in different positions is made nearly as certain in ordinary usage as when the blade is fixedly held in predetermined positions.

What is claimed is 1. A combination square, comprising a handle, a blade pivotally carried by the handle, and holding means for the blade having -manipulating means adapted to be operated by direct pressure of the fingers and located in the pivotal axis of the blade.

2. A combination square comprising a handle, a blade rockable in the handle on an axis transverse of the blade, and a leaf I spring having one end fast to the handle and its free end movable toward and from one face of the blade and traversed by the pivotal axis of the blade.

3. A combination square comprising a handle, a hollow sleeve traversing the handle, a blade pivotally mounted on the sleeve, a spring in operative relation to one face of the blade and extending partly into the sleeve, and a manipulating device for actuating the spring and contained in the sleeve.

4. A combination square, comprising a handle, a blade pivotally mounted in the handle to move with respect thereto about an axis transverse of the blade, and latch means for the blade having manipulating means adapted to be operated by the fingers and located in and movable lengthwise of the pivotal axis of the blade.

5. A combination square, comprising a handle, a blade carried by and pivotally mounted on the handle to move with respect to the latter about an axis transverse of the blade, and latch means for the blade located within the handle and having manipulating means in and movable lengthwise of the pivotal axis of the blade.

6. A combination square comprising a handle, a sleeve traversing the handle near one end thereof, a blade rockably mounted on the sleeve, and latch means for holding the blade in manipulating means sliclable lengthwise of the sleeve the axis of rocking of the bladfie v projecting adjusted positions, including 7. A combination square comprising a handle, a sleeve traversing the handle near one end thereof, a blade rockably mounted on the sleeve, a leaf spring fast at one end in the handle and near the free end entering the sleeve, and a push button with- 4 1n the sleeve fast to the spring and movthe blade, a leaf spring within the handle 7 overlapping the blade, and manipulating means for moving the spring away from the blade, the spring having a projection and the blade having a series of receptacles for said projection to lock the blade in different positions of adjustment and the blade having a greater range of movement than the length of the series of receptacles, whereby the blade may be held in other positions of adjustment beyond the series of receptacles by friction caused by the pressure of the-spring against the blade.

9. A combination square comprising a handle, a flat blade pivotally mounted in the handle to move about an axis transverse of the blade, a leaf spring fast in the handle at one end and oneface of the blade, coacting latch means on the blade and spring spaced from the pivotal axis of the blade toward the fixed end of the spring, and manipulating means at the other end overlapping 10. A combination square, comprising a handle,

at one end in the handle and having the other end extending over one face of the blade at the pivoted end thereof, the spring where extending over the blade having latch means from that face of the spring toward the blade within the confines of a fiat blade pivotally mounted near one end in the handle, a leaf spring secured the blade and located to one side of the pivotal axis of the blade, and the'blade being provided with a series of receptacles for the projecting latch means on the spring and located at a like distan e from the pivotal axis of the blade, and manipulating means for the spring attached thereto and located within and movable lengthwise of the pivotal axis of the blade, whereby to move the spring in a direction away from the adjacent face of'the blade to correspondingly m ged latch means on the Spnng out Of h recelvlng meats on the blade. v

11. A combination square, comprising a handle, a flames niounted in the handle to turn about an axis transverse of the blade, a leaf spring within the handle extending over and movable toward and: fromn one faee'of the blade at the end thereof Where the blade is pivoted, manipulating 'means fast to the spring within the and friction means in the handle engaging that face of the blade remote from the spring, the spring having projecting means for engaging the corresponding face of the blade whereby the friction means on one side of the blade and the projecting means on the spring on the other side of the blade will hold the latter frictionally in difierent positions of adjustment.

13. A combination square, comprising a substantially flat handle, a substantially fiat bladepivotally mounted near one end in the handle, a spring inthe handle overlapping one face of the blade at its pivotal end, co-

. acting latch means on the spring and blade,

manipulating means and manipulating means carried by the. end of the spring overlapping the blade, said being located in and movable lengthwise of the pivotal axis of the blade and having its extremities normally flush with the opposite faces of the handle.

14. A combination square provided with a handle, a blade pivotally mounted near one end in the handle, a leaf spring in the handle fast thereto at one end and at the other end overlapping the blade at the pivoted end of the latter, and a push button located in and movable along the ivotal axis of the blade and having its en s normally flush with the opposite faces of the handle.

15. A combination square, comprising a handle, a blade pivotally mounted near one end in the handle, a leaf spring in the handle fast at one end and at the other end overlapping the blade at the pivoted end of the latter, coacting latch means on the spring and blade, and a push button fast to and carried by the spring and located in and movable along the pivotal axis of the blade and normally flush with and accessible at the surface of the handle.

16. A combination square, comprising a flat handle, a fiat blade at one end entering one end of the handle and there pivotally mounted with the pivotal axis of the blade transverse of both the handle and blade, a leaf spring within the handle fast at one end to the handle and at the other end extending across one face of the blade at its pivoted end, and a push device in and movable lengthwise of the pivotal axis of the blade and normally located wholly within the handle.

17 A combination square, comprising a fiat handle, a flat blade at one end entering one end of the handle there pivotally mounted with the pivotal axis of the blade transverse of both the handle and blade, a leaf spring Within the handle fast at one end to the handle and at the other end extending across one face of the blade at its pivoted end, and a push device in and movable lengthwise of the pivotal axis of the blade and normally located wholly within the handle, the spring and blade having coacting latch means and the blade having portions of'one face free from the latch means and movable into frictional engagement with the latch means on the spring.

18. A combination square, comprising a handle, a blade pivotally mounted in the handle near one end of the blade, a leaf spring in the handle with one end overlapping the pivoted end of the blade, the spring havlng means for engaging the blade located in spaced relation to the pivotal axis of the blade and within the confines of the blade, and manipulating means for the spring in and movable lengthwise of the pivotal axis of the blade.

19. A combination square, comprising a handle, a blade pivotally mounted in the handle near one end of the blade, a leaf spring in the handle with one end overlap- )ing the pivoted end of the blade, the spring aving means for engaging the blade located in spaced relation to the pivotal axis of the blade and within the confines of the blade, 100 and manipulating means for the spring in and movable lengthwise of the pivotal axis of the blade, said manipulating means being normally flush with the surface of the handle.

20. A combination square, comprising a two-part fiat handle with one part having its inner face of reduced thickness at one end and the other part having its inner face formed with a recess, a flat blade pivotally 110 mounted between the two parts of the handle in the reduced portion of the first named part of the handle, a leaf spring fast at one end in the recess in the second named part of the handle and overlapping the pivoted end 1 5 of the blade, coacting latch means on the spring and blade, and a push device fast to the spring and located in the pivotal axis of the blade to move lengthwise thereof.

21. A combination square, comprising a handle, a blade mounted near one end in the handle, a spring wholly inclosed in the handle and overlapping and movable toward and from one face of the pivoted end of the blade and traversing the pivotal axis of the blade, and a push device in the pivotal axis of the blade and traversing said blade perpendicular to the face thereof and fast to the spring.

22. A combination square, comprising a WZLId and from one face of the pivoted end of the blade for traversing the pivotal axis of the blade, and a push device in the piv otal axis of the blade and traversing said blade perpendicular to the face thereof and fast to the spring, the spring and blade aving coacting latch means engaged by the normal tendency of the spring and disengaged; by pressure exerted upon the push device. V

23. A combination square, provided With a, handle interiorly chambered, a blade having one end entering the handle and there pivotally mounted and movable about its pivotal aXis toward opposite edges of the handle, a leaf spring mounted in the chambered-portion of the handle With one end fast to. the handle and the other end, extending across one face of the blade in transverse relation to the pivotal axis of the latter, thebladeand spring having coacting latch means With the spring having a normal tendency to hold the latch means in engagement, and push means fast to the spring and located in and movable along the pivotal axis of the blade,rsaid push means having an accessible portion at and normally flush With the surface of the handle.

24. A combination square provided With a handle and a blade pivotally mounted therein, a leaf spring Within the handle extending across the blade and traversing the pivotal axis thereof, said spring having a normal tendency toward the adjacent face ofthe blade, and coacting. latch means on the spring and blade, the latch means on the spring being in the form of a taper stud projecting from the spring and means on the blade comprising taper receptacles for receiving the stud on the spring.

25. A combination square, comprising a handle, a blade rockable in the handle, engaging means for the blade, and carrying means for the engaging means movable independently of both the handle and the blade and traversed by the pivotal axis of the blade. l

26. A combination square, comprising a flat handle, a flat blade having a pivotal mounting the blade, and carrying means for the engaging means movable Within the handle and guided by the blade.

27. A combination square, comprising a handle, a blade rockable in the handle, engaging means forthe blade, andcarrying means for the engaging means fast at one end to the handle and movable at its other end and there provided With guiding means preventing it from moving sideWise.

In testimony, that I claim as my 'oWn I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

HENRY SIMON,

pivotal mounting of the Witnesses:

CARROLL NOBLE PEACocK, I J OSEPH WILLIAM SKIDMORE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. I

the latch in the handle, engaging means for V CON e5 1, the foregomg 

